Process for hardening copper



No Drawing.

UNITED sTATns PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK H. nur ii, OFBUFFALO, NEW YORK.

PROCESS FOR HARDENING COPPER.

Application filed March 6,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK H. RUTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes for Hardening Copper, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a process for hardenmg copper.

1th this end in View the invention resides in a simple and thoroughly practical process whereby copper maybe hardened and used as a substitute for other hard metals, the degree of hardness desired being controlled by the proportion of ingredients to be hereinafter particularly specified.

The hardened copper produced by means of my improved process or method renders the same useful for many other purposes for which ordinary copper cannot now be employed.

In carrying out my invention I place a given quantity of copper in a crucible and heat the same to the melting point or otherwise treat the' copper to melt the same in any practicable manner. When the molten copper is ready to pour off, pulverized sulfur is added thereto. The molten copper with the sulfur added is then stirred up or otherwise thoroughly mixed; it being of course understood that during this stirring or mixing step in my process the copper is maintained in a molten condition. The quantity of pulverized sulfur mixed with the molten copper is governed by the degree of hardness it is intended the copper shall have when formed or cast into the desired shape or shapes.

I have found by experience that a proportion of from five to ten per cent. of sulfur will make a hardened copper, highly desirable for many purposes; but this percentage may be diminished or increased, depending upon the use for which the copper is to be provided. After thoroughly mixing the pulverized sulfur with the molten copper, the mixture is poured into molds to form the same into desired shape or shapes. after which the formed articles are removed from the molds and while still hot dipped into cold water, or it may be otherwise cooled. The castings thus formed may be Specification 6: Letters Patent.

1918, Serial N0. 220,680.

used in many places where other hard metals are now employed, with the result that such parts will be more durable and possess greater wearing qualities than the parts for which they are substituted.

By increasing the proportion of sulfur, the copper is hardened to a greater degree, which for some purposes is highly desirable.

The products of my invention are particularly desirable where electrical conductivity, and a high degree of wearing quality is essential; for example, in trolley wheels adapted to travel along feed wires, and other similar articles. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is,-

1. The herein described method of hardening copper, which consists in heating the copper to convert the same into a molten mass, in adding a quantity'of sulfur to the molten mass and thoroughly mixing the same therewith, and in then pouring the mixture into molds and forming the same into desired shape or shapes.

2. .The herein described method of hardening copper, which consists in subjecting the copper to a heat of high temperature to melt the same, in adding pulverized sulfur to the copperthus treated and thoroughly mixing the sulfur with the copper, in pouring the metal into molds to form the same int-o desired shape, and in then cooling the metal thus poured.

3. The herein described method of hardening copper, which consists in placing copper in a crucible and subjectingthe same to a high temperature to convert the copper into a molten mass, in then adding a quantity of pulverized sulfur to said molten mass and thoroughly mixing the two together, in next pouring the mixture into molds and Patented Dec. 30, 1919.

forming the same into desired shape or shapes, and in finally cooling the castings thus formed with cold water.

4;. The herein described method of hard ening copper. which consists in heating copand in finally dipping the metal thus cast into cold Water.

5. The method of hardening copper, which consists in heating copper to a molten condi- 5 tion, in adding from five to ten per cent. of

pulverized sulfur to the molten copper, in

then thoroughly mixing the sulfur and copper together, in next forming the copper into desired shape or shapes, and in finally dipping said shape or shapes into cold Water 10 until they are thoroughly cooled.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FREDERICK H. RUTH. 

